Evaluation of the Development and Implementation of Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students (BASICS) for First-Year Student-Athletes at Drexel University

Abstract

There is too much high-risk alcohol use among high-risk groups such as student athletes and first-year students. The objectives of the evaluation of the development and implementation of BASICS include: (a) to aid in the development of program goals and objectives, (b) to review the literature pertaining to BASICS implementation at other colleges and universities, (c) to create program documents and disseminate program information to program members, (d) to collaborate with Drexel staff on program development, planning and advertisement, and (e) to provide recommendations for future programs, research, evaluation and policies relating to alcohol education for students. The methods of this project included literature reviews, research, creation of program documents, disseminating information to project members, and participation in developmental meetings with program members. BASICS was developed and implemented for first-year student-athletes. BASICS was unsuccessful in gaining an appropriate number of student-counselors to conduct more than 2 sessions per week. BASICS was also unsuccessful in gaining participation among Drexel first-year student-athletes. However, BASICS was successful in gaining approval by key members of the University including: Dr. Eric Zillmer, Athletic Director,Kathleen O’Brien, Assistant Director of Academic Services in the Athletic Department,and Dr. Robert Chapman, Clinical Associate Professor and Associate Director of the Behavioral Health Counseling program at Drexel University. BASICS has been identified as a potentially effective program when students who have identified problems or concerns with alcohol are required or highly recommended to participate. More support among potentially influential individuals on campus and new pathways for recruitment should occur before future implementation of BASICS. BASICS has the potential to be an effective alcohol prevention, screening and education program at Drexel. Drexel student-athletes experience unique time constraints due to the 10 week quarter system; therefore, BASICS may not be the most efficient program for student-athletes. There are other factors to take into consideration for implementing BASICS in the future. Currently Drexel is preparing to implement a Medical Amnesty Policy (MAP). MAP has the potential to open opportunities for alcohol education and prevention programs, due to the requirement of the policy for students to be entered into an alcohol education program.%%%%M.P.H., Public Health – Drexel University, 2009